Regarding Why Anyone Should Give a Care
In terms of why anyone should give a care about how Jeff Samardzija is starting, consider that, among the 137 pitchers with 20-plus innings as a starter this season, he ranks 14th by xFIP (2.92), third in swinging-strike rate (13.0%), and third in average fastball velocity (95.0 mph, per PITCHf/x) — and also has an above-average overall strike rate (65.2%).

Regarding the Significance of the Aforecited Metrics
The significance of the aforecited metrics is that they’re all, each of them, scientifically proven by science to correlate pretty strongly with the aesthetic appeal — or, watchability — of a pitcher.

Something That Science Probably Understands Less Well
Something that science probably understands less well is Bryan LaHair‘s 2012 season to date. Line (after play Sunday): 92 PA, .390/.478/.779 (.548 BABIP), 228 wRC+. His WAR entering the game was 1.6.

Among the most impressive pitches you’ll see here are the splitters at 0:12 and 1:23, and then what is either a 91-92 mph slider or cutter at 1:33 and 1:57.

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Other Notable GamesChicago AL at Cleveland | 19:05 ET ***MLB.TV Free Game***
Left-hander Eric Stults, 32, gets the start in this, the second game of a Monday doubleheader between Chicago and Cleveland. Stults last started a major-league game for the Dodgers in 2009. He’s a candidate to replace left-hander Chris Sale in the White Sox rotation. One wouldn’t think that Stults would have much to offer, but pitching coach Don Cooper‘s track record for unlikely reclamation projects continues to grow.